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Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Philippe

Tropical Storm Philippe brought wind and rain to parts of Cuba and south Florida on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located at latitude 24.8°N and longitude 82.1°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Key West, Florida. Philippe was moving toward the north-northeast at 24 m.p.h. (39 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the Cuban provinces of Isla de la Juventud, La Habana, Ciudad de la Habana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Villa Clara. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the northwestern Bahamas including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Island, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island and New Providence. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the portion of the coast from Craig Key to Golden Beach, Florida. Tropical Storm Watches were also in effect for the Central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.

The circulation is of Tropical Storm Philippe is not well organized. The appear to be multiple smaller centers of counterclockwise rotation moving around inside the broader circulation. One center of circulation is in northwest of Key West. Showers and thunderstorms were primarily northeast of that center of rotation. There were low clouds west of that center. Another center of rotation was just north of the coast of Cuba. A primary band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the eastern side of this second center. The middle and upper level circulation of Tropical Storm Philippe appeared to be associated with the center near Cuba.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification. Philippe will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. An upper level trough approaching Tropical Storm Philippe from the west is producing strong southwesterly winds which are causing significant vertical wind shear. The shear is inhibiting the organization of the circulation. Tropical Storm Philippe could intensify on Sunday if the center of circulation near Cuba becomes the dominant center, since it has a more complete vertical structure.

The upper level trough will continue to steer Tropical Storm Philippe quickly toward the northeast on Sunday. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Philippe will move through the Upper Florida Keys and over the Northwestern Bahamas on Sunday. It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rains to those areas.